The late Curt Flood was one of the most important baseball players of the 20th century, if not one of the most influential athletes period. His courageous stance against Major League Baseball's reserve clause in 1969 led to the creation of free agency in America's national pastime and eventually all other major professional sports. He was further recognized by Congress when the Curt Flood Act of 1998, one year after his passing, established federal antitrust law protection for all MLB players equal to other pro athletes. Flood may be more celebrated off the field as a pioneer for pro athletes' rights, but his career accolades on the diamond were quite impressive as well. In a 15-year career spent almost entirely in St. Louis, centerfielder Flood won seven straight Gold Glove awards from 1963-69, earned three All-Star appearances, and played a major role on two Cardinals’ World Series-winning teams in 1964 and '67. During those two championship seasons, Flood batted .311 and .335, respectively. From September 3, 1965 to June 4, 1967, he did not commit an error in centerfield, which stood as a Cardinals' team record until 2013. In 2015, he was inducted into the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame; it would only be fair to his legacy to see him enshrined in Cooperstown one day.
This lot includes 28 personal bank checks that Flood signed from 1993 to 1996. 27 are Curt Flood Youth Foundation checks. The other is a Curt C. Flood Enterprises check. All are made out to Curt Flood and signed twice on the front and once on the back for a total of three signatures on each check. There are no rips, tears, holes or significant creases on any of these checks. Very few have a slight crease from being folded. Overall, the checks range 6-9/10 and come in outstanding condition. Flood's signatures on each check rate 7-9/10 in our book. SMR value for one Curt Flood single-signed check is $500. High-value lot from one of professional sports' most influential athletes.
Includes LOA from Curt Flood's wife and renowned actress, Judy Pace Flood. Signatures all pre-certified by PSA/DNA.